Officials Announce No Charges For Wilmington Officers Who Fatally Shot Man In Wheelchair
WILMINGTON, DE (CBS) – The Delaware Department of Justice has recently announced that no charges will be filed against four Wilmington police officers involved in the fatal shooting of a man in a wheelchair.
Authorities say on September 23, 2015 officers Thomas Silva, Thomas Lynch, and James MacColl were present when officer Joseph Dellose opened fire on Jeremy McDole.
After an investigation into the incident, authorities concluded that no criminal charges will be filed against the officials.
In a statement released Thursday, authorities noted that the officers were entitled under Delaware law to use deadly force in the incident, but noted that Dellose exhibited "extremely poor" behavior.
"Our investigation revealed serious deficiencies in the way in which the Wilmington Police Department prepares its police officers to deal with situations like the one that Mr. McDole presented, specifically with regard to use of force policies and training and policies for dealing with individuals with mental illness, disabilities, or cognitive impairments," the department said in a statement.
Eyewitness News obtained cell phone video of the incident. In the recording you reportedly hear officers continually asking the wheelchair-bound man to drop the gun and put your hands up.
Wilmington Police say just after 3 p.m., police units responded to the area of Tulip and South Scott street in reference to a male with a possible self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Police say they found McDole in the 1800 block of Tulip Street, armed with a handgun.
While they have decided not to press criminal charges, the DOJ says that they do not believe that S/Cpl Dellose should be employed by the Wilmington Police Department in any role where he would be carrying a firearm in public.